March 21, 2012

Renting: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Hi everyone! This is Taylor from Taylor Morgan, here to share with you my experience with renting.

The GOOD

The biggest plus to renting is not having the responsibility of fixing things when they break or go wrong. I love being able to pick up my phone, make a simple phone call and have someone come to fix everything that day without a bill to pay! Stress free! There is an excitement to being able to live in lots of fun places as well. I have lived in LA, Austin, and now NYC and have loved every where I have rented (NYC being the favorite though!). And in NYC more people rent than own so it's just kind of the norm. I love it.

The greatest part about renting in NYC compared to other cities I've lived in is that they let you do more to your apartment (as long as you keep it nice) because they know most people are renters but still want to feel at home. Our building is great with letting you paint & such so I don't feel to restricted even though I am a renter. I painted stripes and mounted our t.v. so I'm a happy camper!

The BAD

Space. There isn't a lot of it in an apartment. Especially an apartment in NYC. Husband and I live in a 500 square foot studio apartment in downtown Manhattan. I was really skeptical about a studio at first, but surprisingly I don't feel to cramped. Our apartment seems to be the perfect size for the two of us. The depressing part is that we pay more in rent for our 500 square foot apartment than most of our friends' house mortgages in other states. But then I remember I just said friend's in other states and I actually feel bad for them that they don't also live in NYC. So it evens out.

The UGLY

Neighbors that are to close for comfort. The smaller the apartments are, the closer your neighbors are. I don't actually hear my neighbors to often but I feel like they must hear us. I feel like we are loud but who knows?! It's more the smells that get to me. Like when they are cooking something that I think stinks or even worse, smoking something that really stinks! Be considerate people. We live so close we obviously have to share the same air! Biggest pet peeve.

Overall though, I feel like renting appeals more to me at this stage in my life. I am not ready to commit to one place, it scares me more than committing to marriage to tell you the truth. Makes me feel to tied down. Although I'm sure I won't find it scary to commit to when we are buying our dream penthouse in the city one day. Until then, I am a happy renter!

Check out this VIDEO we made. It's our cheesy version of MTV cribs.

If you'd like to share, the good, the bad, the ugly of living in a rental, email me your submission with 3-4 pictures of your apartment!

24 comments:

Loved the video!!! Our closet is the same size---super tiny for my fiance' and I to share. I like renting for the same reasons you listed--not having to pay for something when it breaks! The downside, not being in a "house" to call your "own" kinda sucks but for now, it suits us fine..plus we can pick up and move at any time since we don't "Own" which not a lot of people can do!

OH MY GOD! Love the video. You have a lovely house, so organized, very well decorated and you seem really sweet!(beautiful too!)I´m portuguese by the way, sorry about any mistake i write here.Love the blog and read it every day!Greatings from LISBON!

I love the way your TV looks hovering on the wall like that... but where are all the wires? We want to do this in the master bedroom over our dresser but there are so many cables and receivers that it would look terrible! What's your secret solution?

I love the way your TV looks hovering on the wall like that... but where are all the wires? We want to do this in the master bedroom over our dresser but there are so many cables and receivers that it would look terrible! What's your secret solution?

Love your apartment and those stripes! So beautiful. I especially love the white piece in your living area. So shabby chic! I completely agree with you. If I could rent I'd do it in a heartbeat. I love moving from place to place and experiencing different environments and cultures. The problem is, I'm married to a buyer. He thinks we should buy everything and doesn't really like the idea of change. Here's to dreaming that one day I'll make it to NYC! : )

Small spaces really push your level of creativity.. I think you've doing pretty good with the given space.. I completely agree about the close proximity.. The people who live above us don't sleep till 1am and their toddler is up with them.. so while we are trying to sleep and have finally gotten our toddler to do the same all you can hear it talking.. usually fighting and a kid running around, jumping and screaming..not fun.